OLDSWINFORD v BARNARDS GREEN

ENTERING the bank holiday weekend just three points behind leaders Lye the Green were hoping for a weekend of good weather and more importantly good cricket.

This wish was almost granted with two positive results on a Worcester weekend wrecked with woeful weather.

First was Saturday's trip to Oldswinford, who had been defeated in the cup by the Green the night before thanks to some heavy hitting from Phil Harris.

The visitors found themselves in the field and tight opening spells from Hoogstraten (1-21) and then Williams (2-33) stemmed the early flow of runs.

Captain Smedley introduced the spin of Ford and the former Alfrick star did not disappoint. Asa Robinson mixed solid defence with some gorgeous cricket strokes on his way to an innings top score of 74 and he was supported by Asa Nicolls with 24. Lamentably for Oldswinford, Ford ripped through the rest of the line up finishing with fantastic figures of 7-70 off 15 overs and limiting the home side to a score of 184.

The Green's reply got off to a poor start as openers Golder and Williams were dismissed off their first balls faced leaving the visitors in severe trouble at 0-2.

Smedley joined Liam Paddock and they set about rebuilding the innings. Smedley and Harris then both perished to the bowling of Hand (2-46) and it was left for Paddock with a superb 95no and Adam Binks (16no) to see the Green home with eight overs to spare and 24 points.